By Osheen Arakelian
Hublot, who developed a new method of producing a stunning 18-carat scratch resistant gold metal, made Magic Gold famous three years ago. Certified as 18 carats by the Central Office for Precious Metals Control, it is considered the only scratch resistant gold in the world of horology and also the hardest. It can only be successfully machined using diamond and its hardness of almost 1,000 Vickers eliminates the traditional weak point of the gold and its alloys (the standard being only 400 Vickers). It took several months of fine-tuning in the manufacture to machine the alloy into what’s presented in this timepiece and the quality most definitely shows.
This revolutionary material is fused with 24-carat gold and the latest high-tech materials expertise. Components are made from this material are produced using a complex process: A boron carbide powder is preformed in moulds very similar in shape to that of the finished parts, in this case the watch’s bezel. The pre-formed powder is then hardened at a very high temperature, creating a rigid, porous structure. After this step, the 24-carat gold alloyed with 3% molten liquid gold is injected under very high pressure with inert gas at a high temperature, allowing the metal to fill the ceramic pores and creating a “fusion” of the two to produce what we know as Magic Gold.
The timepiece chosen for this amazing metal to be utilised is the Big Bang Unico (which is a great choice in my opinion) and by using black micro-blasted ceramic for the case finish, helps the gold stand out much more giving it a real presence. The 45mm case size comes equipped with all the essential features you would expect to see from a Unico timepiece including a chronograph and date window at 3 o’clock. The movement tucked underneath is the HUB 1242 Unico automatic movement featuring the flyback chronograph with column wheel and double clutch visible on the dial through a skeleton dial. The movement is finished in black PVD and is developed and manufactured entirely in-house by Hublot and has approximately 72-hour power reserve.
A beautiful new timepiece with a great new revolutionary gold bezel that’s sure to be a hit with watch enthusiasts everywhere. For more info, please visit hublot.com
Reference 411.CM.1138.RX
Case Diameter 45.5 mm, made from micro-blasted black ceramic with polished sides
Bezel Polished Magic Gold
6 H-shaped black PVD treated titanium screws, countersunk, polished & locked
Crystal Sapphire with interior/exterior anti-reflective coating and gilt Hublot logo
Bezel Lugs Black composite
Lateral inserts Black composite
Crown Black PVD titanium with Hublot logo and black overmoulded rubber
Push-pieces Black PVD titanium
Case-back Sapphire crystal with interior/exterior anti-reflective treatment
Micro-blasted black PVD titanium
Water resistance 10 ATM, i.e. approx. 100 metres
Dial Matt black varnished skeleton
Red varnished minute track
Satin-finished gilt counter ring at 9 o’clock (small second)
Satin-finished gilt counter ring at 3 o’clock (chronograph minute)
Gilt plated indices with black Superluminova™
Hands Satin-finished gilt plated with black Superluminova™
Gilt plated and red varnished chronograph hand
Movement HUB 1242 UNICO movement with black PVD treatment, developed and manufactured in-house by Hublot Automatic flyback chronograph with column wheel and double clutch visible on the dial side
Date Dark grey window at 3 o’clock
Oscillating weight Black PVD coating
Power reserve Approximately 72 hours
Strap Structured, ribbed black rubber. Interchangeable system.
Clasp Black PVD titanium deployant buckle with black ceramic inserts
Osheen Arakelian – Contributing Editor
Drawing on a lifelong love of horology and a more recent introduction to appreciation of fine whisky, Osheen brought the two together with watch & whisky. He is proprietor of the site, which covers everything related to watches and whisky. In between completing a degree in commercial law and supporting a rich social life, he is out and about attending all the latest watch and whisky events Sydney has to offer. His passion has also taken him around Australia attending a number of events and he hopes to continue his career in the watch industry on a more serious level after he graduates. Read his articles here.
